*The Awakening* I could hear her screams coming from their bedroom, which was located across the hallway. It has been like this for as long as I could remember. I knew that her screams would stop after a while, and they would both fall asleep. But today, somehow, it was taking longer than usual. Papa had come home really drunk today, I knew. I was worried for Maa, even if slightly. But I did what I’ve done every night since last thirteen years—I closed my eyes, and slept. “Riju, wake up babu, you will be late for school.” I opened my eyes to see her beautiful face smiling at me. There was a fresh wound on her forehead, just above her left eyebrow. I ignored it. All of us, including Sunita Masi-- our domestic help, and some of the neighbours who visited our house regularly, have gotten used to it. If you asked her, she would tell you how she had accidentally banged her head against the door, even though we all knew how careful she always was, when walking. “Did you read yesterday’s newspaper?” Tia asked. It was the recess hour, and I was sitting in the classroom with four of my friends. I could feel my cheeks heat up as I admitted sheepishly that I hadn’t. Sujoy and Arpit, the two other guys started laughing at me. I know that every sixteen year old reads newspapers, but they somehow bore me. I don’t like reading. Ignoring their laughter, I asked Tia, “Why?” Her face was grim as she told me how there was no law to protect women from marital rape. “Was there supposed to be any?” I thought in my mind. It didn’t surprise me at all, to be honest. People get used to it, don’t they? Maa did. I don’t think she is unhappy with her marriage. I mean, whatever Papa does to her every night, doesn’t mean that he doesn’t love her, does it? “I, like most people, believe that it’s a wife’s duty to give her husband whatever she wants,” I told her. “Mate, if you believe something just because everyone else does, you should start questioning your ideas,” Arpit said, patting my shoulder. Maa was sitting beside me, browsing through a magazine as I completed my homework. I found myself looking at her more often than normal. I noticed the number of scars on her hands, and especially on her neck. I wondered how she had gotten used to it. But the fact that I have ignored it for so long was making me feel so guilty. The scars, the cuts—they have always been the burning evidence, but I failed to notice them. Well, no, maybe I didn’t fail. Maybe I just chose to ignore. I found myself wondering how Maa has tolerated all these for so long, how she has endured all the pain without complaining, just to keep Papa happy. But then, people get used to things worse than this. It’s part of human nature, I guess. I realized she did it to keep me safe. It drowned on me, that if she wasn’t there, Papa will let out his anger on me. And being a mother, she couldn’t allow it. Maa looked up from the magazine, and found me staring at her with teary eyes. “Babu, what happened?” She asked, her tone anxious. “Nothing Maa,” I answered, lowering my gaze, “I just want you sleep in my room, from tonight.” She looked at me, surprised. “Don’t worry Maa, I will talk to Papa” I assured her. I knew that it would be difficult to make Papa understand, and it’s possible that I won’t succeed, but I have to try. My determination must had shown on my face, for Maa pulled me close and kissed my forehead. It felt good knowing I could try to do something for her, after all the sacrifices she had made for me. I might not be the best son in the world, but I could try to be the most understanding one. © Ditsa, 2015
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:17:05 +0000
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